Township Reorganization
Last month the Board of Commissioners approved a plan to re-organize our Township Administration. In addition to streamlining operations, some new positions were created to better match resident's service needs against resources. Some jobs were eliminated and some employees changed roles and titles. The Director of Recreation and Community Programming was created (formerly Parks & Recreation), The Finance Director (William White) absorbed Human Resources, Information Technology, Cable, Web and Communications Coordination. Public Works (Steve Norcini) absorbed Engineering and an Operations and Public Works Superintendent position were created. Supervisors of Highway/Service, Parks/Sanitation and Fleet Maintenance were also created. The Department of Community Development may be split into Planning Services and Building and Codes but this change is under review. These strategic changes are expected to save taxpayers money and improve services in the long-term.

AQUA and PECO Capital Projects
As many of you know AQUA and PECO have been doing extensive capital improvement projects in our neighborhood. Some of you let me know how the work conditions were causing hardship -Those issues were addressed immediately. AQUA has completed much of their work in the Garrett Hill area. Now PECO is completing work on Lowry’s, Meredith, Good Shepard, Hickory, Brooklea, and Eachus. Once these streets are done, PECO will do gas main replacement on Conestoga Road from Lowry’s to Locust Grove and plans work on Rockingham, Summit Terrace, Bailey, and Garrett Avenue.

The good news is that the Board of Commissioners amended our code to require utilities to repave the entire side of street that our Utility companies disturb in the process. As a result and with coordination by our Director of Public Works Steve Norcini, all paving will be done at the same time to reduce disruption and improve the finish. Lowry’s, Good Shepard, and Meredith will be mostly resurfaced at no tax payer expense - nearly a $100,000 savings!

Note that Lowry’s will receive full width paving in areas where both utilities have facilities, the remainder will have the standard single lane paving restoration by the utility companies. The Township has budgeted funding to pave the remainder of Lowrys lane as needed and possibly some of the other roads that need repaving when all the work is complete.

Parks & Recreation News

In December 2010 we received new park signange at Clem Macrone Park and Emlen Tunnell Field.  Much thanks to Tammy Cohen, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation and members of the Garrett Hill Implimentation Committee for their help in seeing that this important improvement was completed.

The Clem Macrone Park comfort station was scheduled to be replaced in 2012 but we expect a multi-year delay in this $110,000 capital project due to the economic downturn.  On June 6th 2009, neighborhood volunteers gave our Clem Macrone Park Comfort Station a fresh coat of paint on the interior walls and ceilings.  Many thanks to Rick Eulo, Sara Piling for starting the process and Sara,  Jill Huentelman and Brian Fisher for your help masking!  Despite fiscal cutbacks in the Township budget we were able to improve the condition and brighten up the interior of the restrooms with several shades of donated paint (high quality oops paint) that John mixed to a pleasant hue and sprayed.  We plan on adding paper towel dispensers, new lighting fixtures, stalls and maybe even some ceramic tile on the floors.

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